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Wright County’s proctored driving exam program expands: statute change and DVS adjustments increase access
Summary
The county’s third‑party proctoring program for driver‑knowledge exams has administered more than 10,000 tests since 2022; recent statutory and Department of Vehicle Services (DVS) changes expand language options, add audio, extend time limits and allow proctors to administer fourth-or-later attempts.
Wright County License Center staff told commissioners Tuesday that legislative and Department of Vehicle Services (DVS) changes set to take effect this week will expand access to proctored driving exams at county exam rooms statewide. The county opened a third‑party proctor exam room in May 2022. License Center staff reported administering more than 2,000 exams in the first year and more than 4,000 in 2023; to date the center has given more than 10,000 exams. The 2023 increase followed the statewide “ID for All” rollout, which the presenter said strained DVS testing capacity. County presenter Jesse said Wright County advocated in 2023 and 2024 for broader language support, audio test options and removal of a statutory restriction that required fourth‑or‑subsequent attempts to be administered only at state exam stations. Jesse said DVS now allows up to eight languages and audio versions of tests and has extended the time limit from 30 to 40 minutes. A statute change championed in the 2024 legislative session, which the board helped advance, takes effect on Friday and removes the prohibition that forced repeat testers to use state stations. The presenter said the change will increase statewide testing accessibility without mandating use of any particular proctor site. Commissioners thanked staff for advocacy and said the changes should improve access to testing statewide; staff also said they are working to add motorcycle testing capability.
